How to Create a Bar Graph in Adobe After Effects

Great for data presentations or corporate videos, this technique for creating dynamic bar graphs in After Effects is quick and painless!

Graphs are a frequent business client request – they can quickly and simply visualize complex data. But for the motion designer, creating animated graphs can seem like a daunting task.

Don’t be intimidated. Creating bar graphs in After Effects is actually pretty straightforward and you don’t need any third party plugins to get the job done. In the following video tutorial we’ll tackle animated bar graphs in After Effects using only keyframed shape layers. By using AE’s grid overlay (and ‘snap to grid’ feature) you can easily line up your shapes and give them simulated 3D depth.

Although there are several techniques for creating bar graphs in After Effects (and a few plugins that can streamline some of this process), I’ve found that the approach in this video tutorial is straightforward, easily customizable and quick. How do you create graphs and infographics in After Effects? Share in the comments below!

all these twelve minutes yo just draw a bar in a very complicated way. It would be easier to make them as layers in PS, import them and concentrate on animation rather than drawing with help of shapes ( facepalm )

Anjonette Hall

Evan, will you please do a tutorial update on your How to Create a Bar Graph in Adobe After Effects video? At 4:33, when I ‘call up the points’ it is in a different way, and my bar does not scale down similar to how yours does as a result.The dragging down part collapses my bar to a flat line, not the slanted square shape.
At 4:46 “and then they animate…” No. Are the second set of keyframes supposed to automatically appear?
I am stuck. Reshoot the demo or post a step-by step guide? Please help me learn how to animate bar graphs.

Joe

how can i get the side layer to make it in line wit the face? when i move the side i cant get the right corner to link with the left side corner. can someone help asap please? thanks

Anjonette Hall

What time stamp are you stuck at, Joe?

joe

hi sorry i sorted that out now but do you know how i can add text to the graph?